Joao V of Portugal

Joao V of Portugal (22 October 1689-31 July 1750) was King of Portugal from 1706 to 1750. Known as "the Portuguese Sun King", Joao V entertained an incredibly lavish court and riches flowed to his coffers; he was also a pious Catholic and was made "Most Faithful Majesty" by Pope Benedict XIV. He succeeded Pedro II of Portugal and preceded Jose I of Portugal.

Biography
Joao de Braganza was the son of Pedro II of Portugal and Maria Sophia of Neuburg. He was born in Ribeira Palace in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon in 1689, raised into the wealthy House of Braganza, the rulers of Portugal as the "Brigantine Dynasty". Joao V succeeded his father upon his death in 1706 and married Maria Anna of Austria in 1708 at the age of 19, consolidating an alliance between the Austrian Empire and Portugal against France and Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession (1700-1714).

Due to his trade income influx from Brazil and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Joao V became one of the richest monarchs of Europe and entertained a lavish court, becoming known as "the Portuguese Sun King". Joao V's policies of daily worship and donations to the Papal States gave him the title of "Most Faithful Majesty" by Pope Benedict XIV, although his claims that his policies came above the Church at times put him against the Papacy.

King Joao V fell ill in 1742 and his wife became regent for him. Joao V died in 1750, and was succeeded by